Research Article Details
Article ID: | A26968 |
PMID: | 19444865 |
Source: | Diabetes Metab Res Rev |
Title: | Glucose abnormalities in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic hepatitis C virus infection: the role of iron overload. |
Abstract: | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are major causes of liver disease frequently described in outpatient patients with glucose abnormalities. Hyperferritinemia, which suggests that iron overload plays a decisive role in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, is a common finding in both disorders. However, the role of the hepatic iron deposition differs from one to the other. In NAFLD, a moderate liver iron accumulation has been observed and molecular mechanisms, including the downregulation of the liver iron exporter ferroportin-1, have been described. Iron overload will enhance intrahepatic oxidative stress that promotes hepatic fibrosis, interfere with insulin signalling at various levels and may hamper hepatic insulin extraction. Therefore, liver fibrosis, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia will lead to increased levels of insulin resistance and the development of glucose abnormalities. Furthermore, iron depletion by phlebotomy removes liver iron content and reduces serum glucose and insulin resistance in NAFLD patients. Therefore, it seems that iron overload participates in those glucose abnormalities associated with NAFLD. Concerning chronic HCV infection, it has been classically assumed that iron overload contributes to insulin resistance associated with virus infection. However, recent evidence argues against the presence of iron overload in these patients and points to inflammation associated with diabetes as the main contributor to the elevated ferritin levels. Therefore, glucose abnormalities, and specially type 2 diabetes, should be taken into account when evaluating serum ferritin levels in patients with HCV infection. |
DOI: | 10.1002/dmrr.972 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
S04 | Anti-oxidative stress | oxidative stress | α-tocopherol: antioxidant | Vitamin E | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D272 | Phlebotomy | Miscellany | -- | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |